Avery Brewing Co.
Boulder, CO
Available: Available: AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT. DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Family owned and operated since 1993. This strong beer is cellarable for three years or longer.
Alcohol (vol): 9.2
Alcohol (wt): 7.3
Color: 16.9
Bitterness: 104
Original gravity 1085
This barley wine has such a big spicy, peppery and hop resins aroma that, suitably chilled, could pass for a Bavarian bock. Hops vie for attention on the nose with a massive malt character with hints of vanilla pods and damson jam. Peppery hops dig furrows in the tongue, balanced by tangy fruit and nutty malt in the mouth. The long, complex finish has powerful hop resins, over-ripe fruit and biscuity malt with a final abiding bitterness. A stein of this with a plate of bratwurst and sauerkraut would be bibulous heaven.
Hazy, deep amber with a handsome, rocky head. The aroma is all about hops — sticky, resinous, piney, lemony hops with some papaya and mango to boot. The hops deliver a glancing blow to the tongue, letting some malt show through before circling back for a strafing run. Hop bitterness and flavor play through the center with malt falling behind but never losing sight of the party. A paen to excess, and bless it for that. A Spinal Tap put it, “It’s a fine line between stupid and clever.” Well, this tastes mighty clever to me.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
